Palmerton, PA (USA)

[Didn't get on the road early today, but it was for a good reason: dinner last night and brunch today with the kids. After getting gas in Thurmont (MD) at 1255, I made good time (via I-495, I-270, US-15, PA-581, I-83, I-81, I-78, PA-145 through Allentown and side roads without a map!) to the trailhead on Little Gap Road (near Danielsville, PA). At 1545, I headed SOBO on a gravel road that led me into the Palmerton Zinc Pile Superfund Site (on the ridge east of the Lehigh River). After about half a mile, I realized that I was not on the AT (no blazes). However, I decided to keep going to maximize the distance before my... backtrack. In the waning daylight, I learned a lot about the restoration process for land that was significantly affected by over 80 years of mining. Signs of improvement could be seen (trees) and I enjoyed the rock and root free trail. I spotted a drone (perhaps monitoring the property?). The wind picked up as the sun got lower in the sky and I was glad to have brought my warmer clothes. The only people I encountered today appeared to be locals in nature walks... My hiking goal was the western end of the ridge (where there was 1000 foot drop to PA-248). After I found the AT at the end of the service road (required some bushwhacking), I hit the target. I even hiked about halfway down the sheer rock face before turning around (to save time tomorrow). The climb back up was steep (about as precarious as Katahdin) and I noticed there was an equally challenging ridge on the other side of the valley... It got progressively darker, especially after I followed the AT on the way back (through brightly colored leaves and rolling, grass covered terrain). I found a sign that said the AT had been temporarily rerouted, so I guess I covered all bases... After the sun set, I put on my head lamp (thanks girls!) and finished the last several miles (for a total of about 9.5 miles) in the dark - it was a much slower pace. It got much colder (could see my breath) and I was surprised to see people camping out for the night. The views into the valley were tremendous and I saw the Blue Mountain Ski area lit up like a beacon to help me find my car. I finished around 1945 and had to drive nearly 30 miles (via PA-248, PA-895, PA-309) to find a place to stay (Pines Motel, north of Tamaqua - 2030). Hope to finish the PA portion of the AT tomorrow (less than 6 miles left)... AT Today = 4.50 miles / Grand Total AT = 532.64 miles]